Now that the excitement of free agency's opening act has ended, defensive stars (or former stars) in their mid-thirties are taking the stage.

On Friday, New England will host Colts DE Dwight Freeney, who has been discussed as a possible replacement for Elvis Dumervil in Denver. The Pats will also host Cards S Adrian Wilson and Falcons DE John Abraham.

San Francisco is reportedly having serious discussions with both Packers S Charles Woodson and Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha.

PM would love to have Freeney. John Abraham is probably the other big name on the market - he's no spring chicken, but his production last year wasn't far behind Doom's. He showed excellent performance last year before stumbling in the Championship.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-03-15 21:26:11

Maybe the last time that phrase is ever uttered on IAOFM.

Posted by Sean on 2013-03-15 21:20:40

My, oh my, what can change in 4 hours: "Looks like Dumervil and his agent are smarter than that..."

Posted by Sean on 2013-03-15 21:19:59

Looks like Dumervil and his agent are smarter than that, looking at the market and also at how much he likes it in Denver.

Posted by billyricky on 2013-03-15 16:51:41

I'm glad you're not running the Broncos (I'm even more glad I'M not running the Broncos). I'd rather have Dumervil than Avril (7.5M per year) or Kruger (8M per year), so to get Dumervil at about the same price is great.

Posted by billyricky on 2013-03-15 16:44:23

Dooooooooooooooom!!!

Posted by Chris Sturgess on 2013-03-15 15:36:59

Schefter saying Doom agreed!

Posted by Ralph_W on 2013-03-15 15:33:47

Vic Lombardi just tweeted that the Broncos have their final offer on the table and are just waiting to see if Elvis will take it.

Posted by AldenBrown on 2013-03-15 14:51:14

Per PFF: 14.15 SIGNING! Courtesy of Mike Reiss, Danny Woodhead is saying goodbye to New England, and hello to the San Diego Chargers after penning a two-year deal. Obvious comparisons will be made between Woodhead the Chargers former diminutive running back Darren Sproles, with Woodhead a more than capable third down back. With an assist from the excellent Patriots line Woodhead converted 26.3% of his rushing attempts into first downs. Eighth highest of all running backs with at least 50 carries.

That's what worries me at this point. We just saw this play out with Welker.

Posted by Chris Sturgess on 2013-03-15 13:59:10

Well, in all fairness, he's not going to play anywhere for $12 million a year.

I'm just worried because you've gotta have a big ego to make it as far as he's made it and it wouldn't surprise me to see him want to "stick it" to the Broncos.

Posted by The_Outlaw1984 on 2013-03-15 13:42:27

Why would Doom go play for Pats for less than 12M a year? IF he does that, then he belongs w/the enemy.

Posted by Joshua Graham on 2013-03-15 13:12:38

I want Doom cut. He took home $28M over the last two years and was out all of one of those. Effectively he was paid $28M for one season and his agent has been arguing via the media that it would be unacceptable to get paid less than $12M this year. I would imagine if he is cut he could effectively be replaced for someone at $5M/year which for this season allows another $3M signing. That could be a replacement DE and then a safety to solidify the D. Seems like the team will be stronger if he is cut....

Posted by Bronco_JJ on 2013-03-15 12:30:11

Still a number of DEs I'd be wlling to go to war with if Doom leaves. Freeney, Abraham. Shaunnesey all could be decent rotational DE depth if we lose Doom. Keeping Doom is certainly prefereable, but between those guys and the draft, I'm slowly coming around to being okay with losing Doom

Posted by cjfarls on 2013-03-15 12:17:50

I'm not happy with the way this DE situation is playing out. It seems like it's either:

(1) Elvis is a Bronco, Freeney is a Patriot

-or-

(2) Elvis is a Patriot, Freeney is a Bronco

Although after scooping Welker, it would seem to be poetic justice for the Patsies to scoop Doom from us.